Shingled tile block veneer wall



Jan. 2, 1962 J. AMORUSO SHINGLED TILE BLOCK VENEER WALL Filed Oct. 50, 1958 1 w M v/ 3 6 4 7 E M T R E 4: z a mw M LA L 3 4 9 [I IX \IL .I. T a H W l 7 H 5 5 2 8 5. I 2 a Z 2 5 NW Q m ,I v. a? f! B 2 ml. 6 1 p 7 T w 2 2 ILlllull. 4 3 W T 3 W 4. Z a 1 6 .5 V/i United States Patent SHINGLED TILE ELGCK VENEER WALL Joseph Amoruso, nae-49 Quincy Ave, Flushing, NY; Filed Oct. 30, 1958, SE1. No. 770,859 1 Claim. (Cl. 50-246) This invention pertains to tile block veneer Wall construction. An object of the invention is to provide a strong and attractive veneer or facing wall structure of tile blocks, wherein the blocks are supported in holding means attached to a supporting wall, and wherein the several courses of the veneer wall have a shingle lap relation to each other; and a further object of the invention is to provide new and practical means for easily and quickly erecting such a wall.

A feature of the invention is certain holding frames wherein the tile blocks are adapted to be supported, which frames are adapted to be interlocked with one another whereby a strong unitary holding support is provided for the blocks.

A further feature of the invention lies in the particular structure of the tile blocks, whereby they are adapted to be supported in the holding frames in adjoining interlocked relation, and are adapted to be further arranged 111 courses which shingle lap one another.

A still further feature of the invention is an arrangement of the tile blocks in the holding frames in such manner that the resultant veneer wall is dampened against noise and vibration.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of holding frames, and tile blocks of a particular structure; and a manner of arranging them relative to each other whereby they are interlocked together to form a strong veneer wall without the aid of adhesives to bind them.

Accordingly, another object of the invention is to provide means for forming a tile block veneer wall incorporating the foregoing features.

The invention further lies in the particular structure of its component parts as well as in their advantageous association with each other to effect the results intended herein.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description which follows, taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purpose of illustration and description, and are not to be construed as defining the limits of the invention.

The tile blocks used are of stone material; they may be of marble, clay, cement, ceramics, or other suitable stone like material. When such tiles are supported in the holding frames of the invention in shingle lap arrangement, a veneer wall structure is presented having a pleasing and aesthetic appearance. Tiles fashioned from marble are particularly desirable, in that they are easily cleaned, provide an appearance of perpetual cleanliness, strength, and richness; and in shingle lap arrangement are exceedingly attractive. Accordingly, the invention, though subject to wide application, is especially suitable for store fronts, lobbies of hotels and banks, and wherever a beautiful and rich appearing wall facing is desired.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a fragmentary section of a veneer wall structure embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational detail directed to showing the interlocking rod inserts and their association with the tile blocks;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a tile block in its holding frame as in FIG. 1, but with dampening means added; and

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FIG. 4 shows in perspective a fragmentary detail of a modified form of the holding frame.

In the drawings is disclosed the vertical wall 1 of a building, on the face of which is supported a tile block veneer wall 2 embodying the invention. The veneer wall structure comprises a plurality of parallel courses 3 of tile blocks 4, wherein the blocks in each course have a shingle lap relation to the blocks in the course next below, as appears at 5 in FIG. 1. Each course of the veneer wall comprises an elongated holding frame or unit 6 in which a plurality of tile blocks are retained in end to end relation as in FIG. 1.

The holding frames 6 are arranged one above the other in parallel relation. Each frame is formed from a single elongated rectangular blank of sheet metal. It includes a vertical or upstanding back panel 7 which is adapted to be fixed by suitable fastening means, such as nails 8, to the supporting wall 1 of a building. Extending forwardly from the bottom of panel 7 is a substantially horizontal shelf or base 9 on which the tile blocks received into the frame are adapted to rest. Longitudinally of the forward end of the base 9 is a short vertical or upstanding lip 10. The latter is adapted to be received into a channel or slot .11 provided lengthwise of the bottom end of a tile block. The frame 6 is preferably the length of the wall 1 to be covered.

Each frame 6 is provided with an interlocking feature whereby it may be interlocked with other frames next above and below. To this end, a tongue panel or section 12, which is coextensive with the upper longitudinal edge of the back panel 7, extends forwardly from the latter substantially at right angles. This tongue is adapted, during the mounting of each frame to the wall 1, to be inserted or received between a pair of panels 13 and 14 which comprise the base 9 of the frame. The lip 16 of each frame is of double thickness, comprising an inner and an outer layer, respectively 15 and 16, which are unitary with each other at the rim 17 of the lip. The outer layer 15 depends downward and is integral with the rearwardly extending under panel 13 of the base. The free longitudinal or rear of this under panel stops at a point a little short of the vertical plane of the back panel 7 of the frame, so as to provide a space at the rear slightly greater than the gauge or thickness of the back panel 7 overhead. By this construction, when the tongue 12 of one frame is fully entered between the panels 13, 14 of the base of the frame next above, the back panels 7 of the adjacent frames will lie coplanar with one another in the same vertical plane. By this arrangement the several frames which will cover the entire wall 1 may be interlocked with one another into an integrated whole. The double thickness of the lip and base of each frame, together with the interlocking relation of the tongue of each frame with the base of the next adjacent frame, add strength and rigidity to the lip and base sections. This is desired since these sections bear the greater load of the tile blocks supported in the frames.

When mounting the frames to the Wall 1 of a building, the frame which will support the lowermost course of tile blocks will be fixed in place first. Wherever feasible, it is desired that each frame be long enough to extend for the full length of the course. The frame for the course next above is then interlocked by means of the panels 13 and 14 of its base with the tongue 12 of the first positioned panel. Succeeding panels are mounted in similar manner.

After all the frames have been fixed in place, the tile blocks are next entered into the frames. The latter are filled progressively upward, starting with the lowermost frame. This is a simple matter due to the structure of the tile blocks and the manner in Which they are retained in the frames.

The tile block 4 is preferably fashioned from marble. it is solid, and is of narrow thickness. It is rectangular in form, having a broad rectangular facing or front wall 18 which is parallel to a broad rectangular rear wall 19. It further includes a flat narrow top wall 20, and has narrow side walls 21. The top and side walls are at right angles to the front and rear walls. Vertically of each side Wall is a groove 22, here semi-circular in cross section, which is adapted to receive therein a complementary half of a cylindrical rod 23. The latter is substantially equal in length to the groove 22, and is of a complementary slightly lesser radius. The rod is preferably formed of non-rustable material, such as aluminum. A rod 23 is inserted in the opposed grooves 22 between each pair of adjoining tile blocks entered into a frame. The rod is confined in part in the groove of one block and in part in the opposed groove of the next adjacent block, whereby the blocks are held in interlocked relation.

The bottom end of each tile block is characterized by a pair of longitudinally extending legs 24, 25, defined by the slot 11 between them. Slot 11 extends vertically into the block. It is sulficiently large enough to freely receive the lip 10 of a holding frame 6 therein.

In entering and positioning a tile block 4 in a holding frame 6-, the bottom end of the block is first positioned.

astride the lip 10. in this position of the block, the legs 24 and 25 are located at opposite sides of the lip. The rear leg 24 rests within the frame upon the base 9; the front leg 25 depends over the outer face of the lip 10 and, being relatively longer than the rear leg, depends for a short distance below the base of the frame. The slot 11 is relatively wider than the lip 10 entered therein, so that the tile block 4 may be tilted slightly either forwardly or rearwardly relative to the lip. After the tile block has been positioned astride the lip 10, it is tilted rearwardly until the upper rear edge 26 of the rear wall of the block abuts the back panel 7 of the frame. As indicated, the angle of tilt of the block relative to its frame is slight. When a tile block is finally located in its frame, the front leg 25 will depend down in front of the upper area of the frame next below, and it will overlie or shingle lap the upper marginal face of a tile block next below, as indicated at in FIG. 1.

The thickness of a tile block is preferably a little greater than the depth from front to rear of a holding frame; so that when located in the latter, the upper marginal front of the block will project a little beyond the base 9 of the frame next above, as appears at 27 in H0. 1. This arrangement enables the front legs 25 of the blocks in one course to closely overlie the upper marginal front areas of the blocks in the course next below.

An examination of the veneer Wall constructed in FIG. 1 shows that the blocks in each course are not only interlocked in end to end relation, but are also interlocked with the blocks in the course next above.

A blob 28 of an adhesive having continuously soft or plastic properties; such as soft tar or the like, may be disposed between the back wall of each tile block and the back panel 7 of the associated frame, as appears in FIG. 3. This may be done at the time the tile block is entered into the frame. This blob of soft material serves to take up any slight play that might exist between the overlapping areas of one block relative to the block in the frame next above. Further, the blob of soft material acts as a cushion for the associated block, and tends to dampen it against vibration, shock, and the transmission of sound.

In lieu of the interlocking rods 23, the end grooves 22 between the several blocks in each course may be filled with cement or other adhesive.

In FIG. 4 there is shown a modified form which the holding frame may take. in this form it lacks the interlocking features provided by the tongue 12 and the double panels 13 and 3.4 of the base of the form shown in FIG. 1.

While an embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Various changes might be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention; and it is my intent, therefore, to claim the invention not only as shown and described, but also in all such forms and modifications thereof as may reasonably be construed to be Within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In a tile block and tile block holding unit assembly, a tile block holding unit comprising a vertical back panel adapted to be fastened to a vertical supporting wall, a horizontal shelf coextensive with and extending forwardly from the bottom end of the back panel, the shelf comprising a pair of panels one disposed below the other, the upper of which being integral at its rear end with the back panel, and the lower of which having a forward end unitary with and defining an upstanding lip with a forward end of the upper panel and having its rear end free of the said upper panel, and a tongue panel extending forwardly from the upper end of the back panel adapted to be inserted rearwardly between the upper and underlying panels of a shelf of a similar unit disposed next above; and a tile block received in the holding unit having parallel front and rear faces, a level top face, and a recess extending longitudinally of the bottom end of the block whereby a pair of legs are defined, one spaced by the recess forwardly of the other, the forward leg having :1 depending dimension substantially twice that of the rear leg, the block having an inclined position in the holding'unit wherein the upper rear edge of the block abuts the back panel in close proximity to the upper end of the latter, the lip of the holding unit is freely received in the recess, the rear leg stands upon the upper panel of the shelf adjacent the lip, and the forward leg depends in front of the lip and substantially below the lower panel of the shelf.

References lted in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 586,658 Gross July 20, 1897 670,723 Nebeling Mar. 26, 1901 994,116 Boyer June 6, 1911 1,295,107 Brague Feb. 25, 1919 1,692,438 Gates Nov. 20, 1928 1,880,282 Rithner Oct. 4, 1932 2,053,843 Rossi Sept. 8, 1936 2,101,181 Johnson Dec. 7, 1937 2,648,103 Wahfeld Aug. 11, 1953 

